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Udall, Schaffer debate online over 2nd Amendment

Colorado’s U.S. Senate candidates, in their first foray into a 21st century debate format, took time to explain their thoughts to Internet savvy voters about an 18th century matter: the Second Amendment.

“The differences between Udall and me on this topic couldn’t be clearer, couldn’t be more distinct,” Republican candidate Bob Schaffer said during the YouTube debate.

Schaffer said the Second Amendment does not just award gun rights to a select few.

“It’s a matter of historic fact,” Schaffer said. “The Second Amendment is not about hunting; it’s not about sports … it is about the power and importance of the individual.”

Schaffer’s opponent, Mark Udall, affirmed his support for Americans’ right to bear arms, citing a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision affirming that the Second Amendment is an “individual” right.

“I do believe we have an obligation to protect those rights as individuals and, at the same time, do everything we can to keep weapons out of the hands of criminals,” Udall said.

Udall endorsed a “pragmatic” approach to laws governing gun rights.

Both candidates, in their responses to questions on a range of issues from education to water law to energy production, stuck close to their talking points this week.